And so I think about her . . .

SarahPearl has been with me for eight months now. Wow, she has come a long way. She has finally begun to grow out of the clothes she has been wearing since we came home. It was a great day when we realized her sleeves were short and her tummy made the shirt a little tight! She doesn’t eat big quantities of food, but has small frequent amounts. She loves hummus (really, she will eat chickpeas right out of the can), graham crackers, yogurt and bananas. She is eating all foods now, although she doesn’t chew well. All that work with feeding her has paid off in weight gain and height. She is still a tiny little girl, but consistently growing.

SarahPearl is understanding what we say and can follow directions. She loves to please me and is eager to show me how smart and kind she is. She is such a sweet child. She amazes me with how quick she learns. She watches everything we do and learns from it. She is eager to challenge herself with new ways of playing with the same toys, a creative soul.

Her fine motor skills are awesome. She is drawing with control and labeling her drawings with a sign of what she drew (an apple, a tree, a baby etc,) The incredible thing is that her drawings are somewhat representational of what she says they are and she seldom scribbles.
SarahPearl is now spending her day (while I teach), with a good friend of mine. I had both her children in my Pre K classroom and have seen what a wonderful parent she is.

I am blessed that she wants to share SP’s life with me. Since SarahPearl has been with Beth, she has been to the library, a storytime , a children’s museum, and to the lagoon to feed ducks. She has begun imitating some of the nurturing skills that Beth’s daughters demonstrate, and a love of stuffed kitties. She now takes one to bed with her and tucks it under the covers before she covers herself. SarahPearl’s lack of interest in these types of activities were understandable, but causing me some concern. She is beginning to extend herself a bit more.

It’s been a busy Fall. We went to the Apple Orchard several times. The crowd was hard for her and she went back to the carrier for awhile, Being held tightly against my chest is always the comfort she needs in new places. By our third visit, she acclimated and could walk next to me and enjoy herself. She had a lot of fun with Nick and Ainsley, during one of our Fall Fun trips.

She picked out her pumpkin and was thrilled with the magic of the light in the Jack-o-Lantern’s face. It made me remember when the big kids were younger and we would light up the pumpkins and sit outside with their funny faces.

She was a darling little pumpkin for Halloween. We went to a few houses in the neighborhood and when asked what her name was, she replied NanNan. I thought I was hearing things. Her Chinese name was Yan Nan and apparently she remembered it. Although the question was asked in English, she repeatedly said her name in Chinese. I had to laugh. She remembers. When we got home, I asked her her name and she stuck to NanNan all week! She likes her Chinese name. Previously when asked her name, she would sign “Baby”.

When she prays, she can be serious or silly. Sometimes she will sign something like ice cream during her prayers, laugh, and then get serious once I say “In Jesus’ name, we pray”.She waits and then says a great Amen! She is enjoying her toddler Bible Stories now and will be baptized at the end of this month.
She continues to love music. She thanks God every night for music. She has been particular about what she wants to hear when and has a variety of requests but it is her choice. One of her Drs. has given her 3 violins to get her started in a year. She is eager to have the cases opened and touches them so, so carefully.

When I pick her up she wraps her arms around my neck and lays her face next to mine. Her skin is soft and her hair so fine. She pats my back and I dream of who she will be, like I dreamed when I waited for her. I dream a thousand times of her and for her. The worth of her life is immeasurable. The possibilities fill my head, but for now I hold her both night and day in my arms and my heart. I am so grateful.

Blessings,

Julia